What to visit in Bangkok. What to see in Bangkok: the biggest real-world travel guide. Bangkok nightlife - where to go and do

Updated: 2018-12-6

Oleg Lazhechnikov

Bangkok is a city of contrasts: skyscrapers are adjacent to metal and wooden barracks, narrow streets intersect with multi-level highways, beggars are driving their carts by passing Porshe. For six months in Asia, you get used to it, and you react calmly.

I highly recommend visiting Bangkok for at least a couple of days instead of non-stop transit. Bangkok provides an opportunity to feel the spirit of Asia and Thailand, to see how people live. It seems to be alive, with its own history and culture, there is something to see, much will be very unusual for a European. Yes, this is not a resort where everything is clean and comfortable, but it's worth it.

On one's own

For an inexperienced traveler (or who has very little time), it will be enough to walk in the Khao San Road area and see the sights around it, there are several interesting temples... This will take you one day. But, I will list everything where I have been, enough for a total of 2-4 days, choose what suits you best.

Temples near Khaosan Road

• ... It is called Wat Pho and is famous for the huge reclining Buddha (46 m long).
• ... Wat Arun is a very beautiful temple right on the river bank,
  it offers a view of the river and the nearest bank.
• . Wat saket- not the most famous temple, but it has a very pleasant atmosphere. Located on a hill and from the roof of the temple overlooks the city blocks around.
• ... The most famous attraction in Bangkok and the most touristy one.
• Temple of the Golden Buddha. Wat Traimitt - in it you will see a golden figure of a seated Buddha. Nice and beautiful place. Chinatown is located nearby, it also makes sense to go there if you have time.

Bangkok viewpoints

Observation points are located on the roofs of skyscrapers, which are more than in the capital. These are usually restaurants or bars. I have visited three of the most famous ones.

• ... The most famous and popular observation deck. View of the whole city. It makes sense to look not only at the daytime view, but also at the nighttime view. There are 2 areas: behind the glass and in the open air (but behind the net).
• ... A pleasant place where you can not only look at the city, but also sit with a glass of something or eat. One of the best viewing restaurants in Bangkok in my opinion.
• ... The place became famous after the filming of the movie bachelor party, so there is just a crowd of people.

Bangkok walks

Somehow it so happened that I do not really like megacities. More precisely, not the cities themselves, but traffic jams, a crowd of people, so-so ecology. On the other hand, of course, it's great to live in a place where there are a lot of opportunities for leisure, study and work, where there is a good Internet and civilization.

With similar thoughts about big cities, I went to Bangkok for the very first time. The idea of ​​him was justified in some ways, in others not. It's stuffy, a lot of people, but, for example, I liked that near every metro they sell fresh cut papaya and pineapples. If I lived and worked here in the office, then in the morning I would have breakfast on my way to work, beauty! Subsequently, I lived in Bangkok for six months and it sunk into my soul, I don't even know why. But now I am happy to come there to visit.

I gave links to the main attractions of the city in the first half of the post, I examined them during all my visits and now you can choose where to go for you. But when we arrived there for the first time, we only managed to walk around the city center. It seems to me that when there is only 1 day, then you should not saturate it with sights to the maximum, you should try to leave time just for a walk in order to have time to feel at least a little the atmosphere of the city. Below are photos from that walk.

Khaosan Road in Bangkok

For one night we decided to stop at Khaosan Road, this is the backpacker street in the center of the city, a transit point where many foreigners stay. There is all the party and fun, the place is cult. All cheap (and not so) guesthouses are located on Khaosan and the neighboring streets. And in the evening, the global market unfolds, bringing with it noise and rubbish. By the way, Khaosan Road is somewhat reminiscent of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, only that is more of a shopping street.

It is definitely worth staying at Khaosan once, but for a longer stay or other times, I would rather look for other areas. And such a moment, it is not necessary to look for a guesthouse right on Khaosan, it is better to walk through the neighboring ones, there is less noisy and there is more choice. Or, if you want to find a hotel and stay nearby, choose conveniently on RoomGuru, this is a convenient service where you can compare hotel prices in different booking systems. V last time I stayed in a good hotel on a quiet street and it takes about 10 minutes to go to the whole movement, no more.

People

Skyscrapers and barracks

Excellent roads

Canals and river trams

In the center of Bangkok

In each big city there are many places where you can walk and relax, relax, play sports, learn a lot and get a lot of impressions. Bangkok is no exception here. If you find yourself in this wonderful city of Thailand and do not know what to do with yourself, our article will help solve your problem. In Bangkok, you can simply move in the direction "where your eyes are looking" and almost everywhere you come across everything interesting and surprising.

As part of this article, we have covered only a tenth of the exotic places in Bangkok. This multifaceted city can truly satisfy the most sophisticated taste of any tourist. Welcome to the Kingdom of Thailand!

11/01/2013

The text of the article was updated: 5.01.2019

Bangkok's New International Airport Suvarnabhumi

So, it doesn't matter if we fly from Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk or Moscow, we all arrive at new airport capital of Thailand, which is correctly called Suanaphum or Suvannapum, which translated from Thai means "Golden Land" ancient kingdom, which was located, as the Thais believe, on the territory where Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) now stands). But among Russian tourists the name-transliteration from the Latin spelling "Suvarnabhumi" has stuck more.

Note: the text you are currently reading was rewritten in January 2015, so do not be surprised if you sometimes come across more recent information than it was in 2010. But the data that I took on a trip in 2010 was taken as a basis, so please double-check my data.

Suvarnabhumi Airport was launched in 2006. It is one of the largest in South-East Asia and in the world. The capital of Thailand has more old airport Don Mueang (Old) Bangkok International Airport)), in which low-cost airlines are now based, domestic air transportation is carried out.

This fact should be taken into account when planning your schedule and itinerary for an independent travel in Thailand. So, in 2010, we flew to Bangkok with Transaero at Suvarnabhumi airport and then flew to Krabi from it with the Air Asia low-cost airline. But since the end of 2012 airline Air Asia has moved flights to Don Muang and you will now need to reserve time to travel from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Mueang.

How to get from Suvarnabhumi airport to the center of Bangkok

The latest information on how to get from Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi Airport and back can be found on the official website of the airport. https://www.bangkokairportonline.com/... The main ways are to get there by metro, bus or taxi.

From the city center to the airport subway line Suvarnabhumi Airport City Line (SA City Line). The fare is from 15 to 45 Thai Baht per person, and it depends on how many stations you need to travel to get to the airport. The metro is open from 6:00 to 24:00. To catch the SA City Line train, you need to go down to the basement following the signs for "Basement B".

You can also take the Suvarnabhumi Airport Express-Makkasan (Makkasan Express Line) express from Suvarnabhumi Airport to the center of Bangkok. This is also a subway, but the train is on Without stops. The ticket price is 90 baht one way or 150 baht for a round trip. Travel time from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Makkasan Station will take 15 minutes.

Also, the express runs on the route Suvarnabhumi Airport Express - Phaya Thai (Phaya Thai Express Line). Tickets cost the same 90 and 150 baht. Travel time is 17 minutes.

The second option, how to get to the city, is to go to Taxi... As in Russia, when leaving the customs zone, taxi drivers will attack you with the calls “Taxi, taxi” and, as in your homeland, you can get to the razvodilovo, or rather to the limousine service with exorbitant prices. We need to go outside in the Arriaval area (1st Floor, Gates 4 and 7), where the Public taxi counter is located. Here the aunt will write you a itinerary receipt. Boarding fee 35 baht, plus airport tax 50 baht, plus toll road(25 baht if available on the route). Usually they drive from the airport by the meter (if not, remind the driver about it) and, according to independent travelers, the fare to the center ranges from 300-400 to 500 baht.

In Bangkok itself, you come across taxi drivers who refuse to take on the meter, then either bargain, or send in the forest and look for another car. If in the province you are lucky according to the meter every first driver, then in the capital - every fifth. By the way, when the car is free, a red Thai hieroglyph is lit on its windshield. And the counter displays two numbers: how many kilometers you have traveled and how long you are on the road (start counting - from 35 baht - landing).

City buses Arrivals and departures at Bangkok Airport public transportation center, which is served by a free Shuttle buse. There are several shuttle lines in total: Express Line and Routes A-D. Shuttle bus "A" carries passengers from the passenger lounge on the 1st level (2nd floor, since the 1st is the basement) to Gates 3 and 8, route "B" - from the Arrival Hall to Exit 5, lines "C" and "D" - express between the arrivals / departures and Exit 5.

Well, the city routes are as follows:

• 550 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Happy Land / On Nut Road - Praves District - On Nut Intersection - Bangkapi Intersection - Happy Land (Ticket price THB 34 per person)
• 554 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Rangsit: Ram Intra Road - Lak Si - Vibhavadee Ransit - Don Muaeng - Rangsit (price THB 34)
• 555 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Ransit (Rama 9 Expressway) Dindaeng â € “Suthisarn - Vibhavadee Rangsit - Kasetsart University - LakSi - Don Muaeng Airport- Rangsit (THB 34). Departs every 15-20 minutes (from 00:00 to 02:00 every hour)
• 558 - Suvarnabhumi Airport - Central Rama 2 - Expressway - Wat Son-Suksawas Road â € “Ram 2 Road â €“ Central Rama 2 â € “Samae dam Garage (THB 34).

And there are many minibuses (Public Van). How to get to them, see the Suvarnabhumi airport website, the link to which I gave above.

In 2014 my wife and I from the airportSuvarnabhumi Airportwe got to Pattaya by bus. We went down to the 1st floor (1Level), where the package tourists outside. There is a ticket office where you can buy tickets. There are 4 routes per day that take you to bus station by the beachJomtienfor 125 baht per person, and several routes that take you directly to the hotel for 250 baht per passenger.

We missed the cheap route, took the bus for 250THB... Travel time is 2 hours. We arrived somewhere at the northern bus station of Pattaya (I think), where we were transferred to minibuses and taken to the hotel entrance.

Where to stay in Bangkok

Of course, it is better to live in the city center for easy access to the main attractions. But what should be considered the center? V tourist guides it is argued that you need to choose a hotel on Khao San Road, or Silom (สีลม) with its skyscrapers of the financial center, or, for spicy lovers, live in Patpong - the world famous red district lanterns and Nana (Nana Plaza), because at night there is the main movement.

Katya and I decided to follow the advice of those travelers who say that for the purpose of independent excursions around Bangkok, it is better to choose a hotel in the World Trade Center area ( World Trade Center(WTC)), Skytrain stations SIAM station BTS Skytrain, the largest shopping center in Southeast Asia, Siam Paragon ( Siam paragon Shopping Mall). A little further from the area is the famous high-rise hotel Bayok sky, on the upper floors of which there is an observation deck and seafood restaurants with breathtaking views of Bangkok.

By the way, one of the largest oceanariums in Southeast Asia is located at the lower level of the Siam Paragon shopping center. We did not have time to enter it, but the next year, being in Shanghai, we visited the local marine aquarium - an unforgettable experience! Check out my report on the excursion to the Shanghai Aquarium and you will want to make sure to take the time to visit the Bangkok Marine Aquarium..

I was told that from Khao San Road (Khao San) it is close only to the royal palace and to the river. But, in terms of the accessibility of the metro, shopping malls and markets of Pratunam and Bo Bae Market, the presence of a navigable canal with tram boats, it is more pleasant to settle in the World Trade Center area and at the Bayyoke Sky.

In general, we did not know all this information in 2010 and booked the Bel-Aire Princess Hotel, which is now called BelAire Bangkok(hotel address: 16 Sukhumvit Road Soi 5, Bangkok 10110 Thailand) as it is easily accessible by public transport. You can get to the hotel as follows: take the Airport Rail Link train to Phaya Thai station and change to the BTS skytrain to get to the Nana station stop. We leave on the left and walk along the Sukhumvit Soi 5 lane to the end (the journey takes no more than 5-10 minutes). City Line ticket costs 45 baht to Phaya Thai and another 31 baht to Nana.

2. Review of the BelAire Bangkok hotel. Good location, but expensive ... Next time I will look for cheaper accommodation for one night in Bangkok.

We liked the BelAire Bangkok Hotel very much. We lived on somewhere on the 20th floor of the tower, around - skyscrapers. My review of him is the most positive! Only now, having gained the experience of independent travel in China, Mexico, Sri Lanka and a second trip to Pattaya, I would not settle in it. Why pay pretty decent money for one night in Bangkok (we checked in, threw our things and wandered around the city until late at night, and the next morning we went to the airport)? It was more profitable to find an inexpensive hostel. This is what I will do next time.

Note from 04/19/2015: In February 2014, we went on vacation to Thailand for the third time. Now we rented a car and drove about 3,500 kilometers across the country. Including, we spent 1 day in Bangkok. This time we settled in a hotel Astera Sathorn Hotel... Recommend! It is located 5 minutes from the BTS Skytrain StationSaphan Taksin... Here is the boat pierSathorn pier, from which it is easy to get to the Royal Palace or the temple of Wat Arun. The room is cheap (less than 2000 rubles), but everything is clean and tidy. Nearby there is a mini night market with cheap food.

What to ride in Bangkok

All independent travelers are advised to take free maps for tourists, which are marked with the main attractions of the capital of Thailand.

Usually, the green and red lines on the map indicate the lines of the upper metro - BTS Sky, which you can quickly get to different tourist places, including to the river Chao Phraya(Chao Phraya River).

On the maps you can see that parallel to the green line and below railroad passes river channel, on which boats ride, which is a full-fledged public transport. The ticket price is 10-20 baht. They are very convenient to get to various attractions without traffic jams. The Chao Phraya River itself is also used by public boats.

What you can see in Bangkok in a few hours

I will briefly tell you how our tour of the capital of Thailand went, so that you have an idea of ​​what sights you can see in Bangkok in one day.

• Arrived from Krabi to Suvarnabhumi Airport at 13:40. We got our luggage, took the high-speed metro with a transfer, as described above, got to our hotel. We settled in, had lunch, as we were very hungry.
• We got to the pier where they stop river trams and swam to berth number 8 (Ta Tien), from it - left to the right and in a couple of minutes saw the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho).

5. In the courtyard of the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho). The resting golden Buddha himself can be seen in the 1st part of the Thailand trip report on his own.

In general, next to Wat Pho is the Royal Palace (The Grand Palace), which may not be indicated on maps, since it is located on the same territory with Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Phra Kaew, in Thai: วัด พระ แก้ว). I think the recommendation from the site will be useful to you.TripAdvisorhow to get there using river transport, its features will become clearer.

The Royal Palace is located on the same side of the river as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), which is a few steps away from it, and directly opposite another famous temple in Bangkok -Wat Arun(Wat Arun or Temple of Dawn).

Option 1... If you are in the areaSukhumvit, Sathorn, Silom, Siam, Ploenchit, Phayathai, Victory Monumentor anywhere else with access to BTS stationsBts skytrainthen we sit down and go to the stationSaphan Taksin... You may need to change trains at a bus stopSiam, depending on where you start your Bangkok sightseeing tour. At the stationSaphan Taksinwe leave and go down to the pierSathorn pierlocated under the metro line. This pier is also calledCentral pier... Do not buy tickets for 150 baht for a tourist boat at the ticket office (if you need a tour with an English-speaking guide telling about the main sights of Bangkok, then buy a ticket for a 40 baht for a river tripChao Phraya River on a tourist boat). Tourist boats are marked with a blue flag.

The scheme and description of the river transport in Bangkok can be viewed.

To take the city boatChao Phraya Express Boat, go to the left pier (there may be a lot of people in high season). Get on a boat without a flag, with an orange or green flag. The fare is paid to the conductor on board. Him need to to tellTha Chang (pier№ 9, pier 9). Price travel 13-15 baht. Get off at berth # 9 "Tha Chang"And walk until you see a large white wall. Follow it to the left and then turn right toSanam Luang(a large open green area) was on your left, and the wall of the palace was on your right. You will walk about 200 meters until you reach the main entrance.

You may be approached by a polite, well-dressed man (or woman), sometimes even wearing some kind of special uniform (for example, a black T-shirt that says "Tourist Police"), who will tell you that the palace is closed for some special reason, or, that the entrance to the palace would be open in a few hours. And they will suggest you visit another temple, or a cheap tuk-tuk tour. DON'T BELIEVE them as they are scammers.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) is located directly behind the Royal Palace (the Grand Palace). If you want to reach it, go around one block to get to the main entrance.Wat Pho.

If you want to get to the templeWat Arun, go back to the pierTha Tien(№8), from where by ferry for 3 baht cross over to the other side.

Option 2. From Khao San Street ( Khao San Road) andPhra Athityou can take the express boatChao Phraya express boatthat comes to the right from the pierTha Phra Athit(pier No. 13) and get off at berth No. 9 (Tha Chang pier). Also from there you can walk in 30 minutes to the Royal Palace and on foot.

We did not know about the ferry to the other side of the river. And it was getting dark already, so we looked at the temple of Wat Arun from our bank and drove to the Bayok Sky Hotel. It is the tallest skyscraper in the country. Upstairs there is a revolving observation deck. And below are the floors with restaurants.

What to do in Bangkok in the evening? Dine at the Baiyoke Sky Hotel

Many Russian tourists try to settle in this hotel, but read reviews discouraging from the decision to live in Bayok. Imagine: every day there will be crowds of tourists in the elevator, at the entrance to the hotel! I agree with those who recommend just coming here for a romantic dinner.

Restaurants are located on the 76th and 78th floors. Buffet service. Before the trip, I read that one of them offers a 50% discount if you buy a ticket for a time after 20:00. That is, instead of regular price 900 baht, pay 450 baht. The café is open until 22:00, so you can calmly eat and admire the city at night.

We arrived at the hotel, went up to the 18th floor, where my aunt said that there were no seats at 19:00, we had to walk until 19:30. I asked if it was true that after 20 hours everything would be at half price. She confirmed. We decided that we would walk a little nearby (there is a market with souvenir shops), and with the money we saved, we would buy gifts for relatives.

We returned by 20:00. The choice in the restaurant is huge. Finally, we ate seafood. Alcoholic drinks - for a fee.

We went up to the observation deck. It is fenced off with a metal mesh, but you can stick in the lens. True, the roof of the skyscraper rotates on its axis ...

7. From the observation deck at the very tall building in Bangkok - Baiyoke Sky Hotel opens impressive view... Can you imagine how to arrange a romantic dinner with a view of the night metropolis?

What other attractions can be visited in Bangkok

My wife and I managed to see only three of the above sights in half a day: the temple complex of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), the Temple of the Morning Dawn (Wat Arun, Wat Arun) from the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River (Chao Phraya, Menam Chao Phraya) and have dinner at the tallest building in Thailand is the Baiyoke Sky Hotel.

If we had more free time, we could see the following sights of Bangkok:

• Wat Saket or Golden Mount or ‘Phu Khao Thong’ and Phra Sumen Fort.
• Loha Prasart metal temple (the Metal Castle).
• You can choose to go to see the Democracy Monument (อนุสาวรีย์ ประชาธิปไตย Anusawari Prachatipatai, Anusawari Prachathipatai, Democracy Monument) and the above-mentioned Royal Palace (open daily from 8:30 to 15:30), the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, or go on an excursion to Wat Suthat ), which is remembered for its Giant Swing gate).
• At berth 7 you can rent a long-tail boat to sail across the river to Old Bangkok, also called Venice of the East (khlong in Thai, คลอง). The main thing is that the boat should be long-tailed, as ordinary boats go very slowly ...
• Go on an excursion to the Bangkok Aquarium at Siam Paragon Shopping Mall.
• You can visit the Bangkok Safari Park (Safari World, Safari World) - a zoo in which visitors pass inside the cages, and the animals live outside.
• Go to ancient city Ayutthaya (พระนครศรีอยุธยา, Ayutthaya) combined with an excursion to the summer residence of King Bang Pa In (Bang Pa In).
• I want to get to the historical park, a museum under open air Muang boran(Mueang Boran, Ancient City).
• Go for an evening walk along the Chao Phraya River, bathed in lights. Swimming takes place on a national junk or on a ship. The tour is called "Grand Pearl Dinner Cruise - Bangkok Thailand". Landing - at the "River City". Music plays, you dine and admire the beauty of the city at night.

Here is such a small report on what we managed to see in Bangkok in 1 day and what can be seen if we spend more time in the capital of Thailand, I got it. I think the next time we fly on vacation to this beautiful country, I will definitely go to Mueang Boran Park (Ancient City) and visit the Bangkok Oceanarium.

Summarizing my report on the first independent trip to Thailand in my life, I want to say that Katya and I really liked the country. After that, we traveled twice to China, wandered around the Philippines as savages, traveled half of Mexico and almost all of Sri Lanka behind the wheel of a rented car. But we, all the same, were drawn to Tai. In 2014, in March, after another intense trip to the outback of China, we decided to spend 5 days in Pattaya again (I will write a report on this later).

1 - MoChit Bus Terminal, from which buses leave for the North, to Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya Historical Park or Sukhothai.

2 – Train Station Hua Lampong Station (Hua Lampong).

3 - Makkasan station (Makkasan) - the terminus of the Suvarnabhumi Airport Express-Makkasan.

4 - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.

5 - the last stop of the sky metro from the airport Suvarnabhumi Airport City Line (SA City Line).

6 - Saphan-Taksin BTS station. Here is the Sathorn pier and my recommended Astera Sathorn Hotel.

7 - Temple of the dawn of Wat Arun.

8 - temple of the reclining Buddha Wat Pho.

9 - Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).

10 - Wat Suthat temple and Giant Swing gate.

11 - Democracy Monument.

12 – Golden mountain(Golden Mount) or Wat Saket.

13 - Siam station, where the aquarium is located.

In the winter of 2015, Katya and I went to Thailand on our own for the third time. Now we decided to spend one free day in Bangkok on. What to say? Incredibly beautiful! But ... Expensive: 700 baht per person and not as interesting as, say, in the Nong Nooch botanical garden in Pattaya, where you can admire the landscapes, or you can visit the menagerie, see the elephant show.

And I am sure that I will go to Thailand as a savage more than once. Because, having visited the country twice, I never saw it ... I'll rent a car and drive through national parks, across Northern Thailand ... These are the verses that come to mind when I think of Tae.

“… Those who hear the call of the East are not dear to the motherland.
Their homeland is not sweet to them -
Spicy spirit, like from a cauldron,
The land where palm trees splash and bells ring ... "

More affluent tourists can take advantage of the offer of the Sputnic8 company and book an excursion in advance. Perhaps this service is more suitable for those tourists who do not know the language well and feel insecure about big city Abroad.

Update as of 10/11/2015. Little known tourist attractions in Bangkok

If you are planning to plan your itinerary independent trip for Thailand, I recommend that you read the following articles (see link below). I also advise you to go to the section of the site " Independent travel»And familiarize yourself with. Hua Hin is located just 200 km from the capital, and all around are stunning National parks... Maybe you don't want to go to noisy Pattaya ...

During the week I flew on a business trip, flipping through the Aeroflot in-flight magazine with an article about the sights of Bangkok. I want to add a few places where I would like to go on excursions, if I still happen to have a rest in Thailand on my own. Maybe the information will come in handy when planning your own trip or help you have fun if you have a few free hours and you want to see something in the city, and not sit at the Suvarnabhumi airport.

Firstly, I would very much like to visit the theatrical Siam Niramit show... It is held on the island of Phuket and in the capital of the country. Here is the official website (page in Russian): http://www.siamniramit.com/show.php

Just imagine how grandiose the performance is: 150 actors, special effects on the huge stage of the Ratchada Theater (11.5 meters high). Hall - for 2000 spectators.

For 90 minutes, an exciting action unfolds on the stage of Siam Niramit: how ancient Siam became a crossroads where civilizations meet, how the laws of karma bind the Thai people together, and how religious ceremonies and festivals help a person accumulate merit to go to heaven.

Tourists can buy a simple ticket to the Siam Niramit show, or they can buy it with dinner. I think if everyone around will eat, it will suck in the spoon, so I advise you to fork out a little.

The Siam Niramit show runs from 5:30 pm to 9:20 pm, although the show itself starts at 8:00 pm. Simply, vacationers can arrive in advance to walk around the "Thai village", eat, ride elephants - in general, enjoy the traditional entertainment for Thailand.

How to get to Ratchada theater, where Siam Niramit performance is performed. This landmark of Bangkok is located on Tiamruammit Road, directly opposite the Thai cultural center... To get to it, we take the underground metro (remember, in Bangkok it is called MRT, as opposed to the overground one - BTS Skytrain) and get off at the Thailand Cultural Center station. You need to go outside through Exit 1. From here, from 18:00 to 20:00 free buses which can take you to Siam Niramit.

Follow the link at the end of the article to see a photo report on visiting the Alcazar Show cabaret in Pattaya. We really liked it there, I am sure that the performance in Bangkok is even more ambitious. Another similar show can be seen during an excursion to Botanical park Nong Nooch - there is a very beautiful performance of actors in national costumes. Therefore, although I myself have not visited Siam Niramit, I recommend it to everyone.

Another Bangkok attraction that I would like to visit as a photographer is Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple... It is located 16 kilometers from Don Muang Airport. The religious building is the center of the sectarian Buddhist movement Dhammakaya Movement, which was founded in 1970 by a certain Phramonkolthepmuni.

Wat Phra Dhammakaya looks like a flying saucer or a stadium rather than a traditional Thai temple. $ 1 billion was spent on its construction.

In the center of the structure is the huge Dhammakaya Cetiya stupa, which is adorned with 300'000 bronze Buddha statues, covered with gold. Another 700'000 sculptures are installed inside the temple. The Golden Stupa is the founder's Memorial Hall. Around the temple is a huge concrete platform that serves as the Meditation Amphitheater.

To reach Wat Phra Dhammakaya, take bus 29, 34, 39, 59, 95, 185, 503, 504, 510, 522 and 538 from BTS Mo Chit station to Rangsit Future Park (price travel - from 7 to 22 baht, depending on the availability of air conditioning). Travel time is from 30 to 60 minutes.

Another attraction that can be seen near Bangkok is Dragon Temple (Wat Sampharan)... It is a 17-storey building with a huge dragon crawling along the walls. How to get there by public transport, I could not find. Here are the GPS coordinates: 13.735295, 100.214892 is in the village of Khlong Mai. Distance from Bangkok is about 40 kilometers.

If you have already traveled to various interesting places in the capital of Thailand, and fed up with the aquarium and the Siam Niramit show, you may be interested in a walk along Park of King Rama IX (Suan Luang King Rama IX Park)... Judging by the photographs of tourists, according to reviews, it is very beautiful and quiet place, almost the same as the Muang Boran open-air museum (Ancient Siam, Muang Boran), where we went on an excursion in the spring of 2015 during our third trip around the country in a rented car.

King Rama IX Park is located 15 kilometers from the city center. To get to it, you need to take the BTS to Udom Suk Station. Here you can already take a taxi, which in thirty minutes will take you to Suan Luang King Rama IX Park. Fare: 100-150 baht. Park opening hours: from 05:00 to 18:00 hours. The ticket price is 10 baht.

Koh Kret Island formed in 1722 on the Chao Phraya River, when a bypass channel was being built there. Tourists come here on an excursion when they want to see how Thais lived in ancient times. The fact is that the Monov settlements have survived here, which were the dominant nation earlier in Thailand. I don't know how tourist this place is, my wife and I visited in 2015 fishing village in the vicinity of the city of Chumphon, and were delighted. But there we are - the only tourists for many months.

You can get to Koh Kret by the Chao Phraya Express boat, which departs from Central Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin) once a week, on Sundays at 9:00, carries tourists to several attractions and returns by 15:30. The ticket price is 300 baht per person, excluding lunch. Also, many travel agencies sell tours to the ancient city. Ayutthaya with a stop on the island Ko Cret.

If you are traveling in Thailand with children, in Bagkok you can visit one of the largest entertainment complex in Southeast Asia: Thai Disneyland, which is called "Dream World" (Dream World). Here, on a huge territory, there are merry-go-rounds, water attractions, playgrounds, cinemas, a mini-zoo, a miniature park, etc. True, you need to tune in that such an excursion will take the whole day, and not several hours, and you need to go here purposefully for a family vacation.

Here is a video showing what Disneyland in Bangkok is like.

Opening hours of the Dream World amusement park: from 10:00 to 17:00 (on weekends - until 19:00). Ticket price - 1200-1375 baht per person for the whole day (unlimited), depending on the selected package (package): carousels - snow slides - waterslides- zoo - buffet - transfer (cheaper without snow). You can buy an excursion in Pattaya: up to 1200 baht or go for 140 baht by minibus to the Mo Chit bus station by yourself (see chapter # 1 with a review of a trip to Thailand in 2017).

Official site on English language: http://www.dreamworld.co.th/panoramic/en/index.php.

Shopping spots in Bangkok

We don't go on vacation for shopping, so it's always a pity to find time for shopping trips. If you want to go shopping in Bangkok, you can go to night bazaar Asiatique the Riverfront... Hop on the free boat at the end of the pier on the already known Central Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin) and in 10 minutes arrive at the former commercial port, which has been converted into a night market. There are 1,500 boutiques and 40 restaurants here. You can buy anything you want.

Asiatique the Riverfront shopping area opens at 17:00 and is open all night. If in Pattaya you did not go to the transvestite show in Alcazar or Tiffany, you can visit the equally famous Calypso Cabaret Show at Asiatique.

Another famous shopping center in Thailand is called Terminal 21... It opened relatively recently. It is a 9-storey building, the design of which resembles an airport. Each floor is decorated in the national style: Caribbean, Rome, Paris, Tokyo and so on. If you look at the photos, you can go there as if on an excursion.

Getting to Terminal 21 Shopping Center is easy: take the BTS Skytrain to Asok Station, from which you can get directly inside to 600 boutiques and 50 restaurants awaiting you.

Another famous shopping attraction in Bangkok is night market Rot Fai Market (Train Market) where you can buy anything from antiques to modern items. It is located at Srinakarin Soi 51, just behind the Seacon Square Shopping Mall. They get there by taxi, but there are traffic jams on Friday and Saturday, so you need to take the overground metro to On Nut Station and look for a car there.

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, a huge metropolis and one of the most popular travel destinations. Here everyone manages to find entertainment to their liking: someone goes on excursions and gets acquainted with the sights of the city, someone is engaged in shopping, and someone is attracted by the numerous discos and parties of the metropolis. In any case, you will definitely not be bored while sitting at the hotel!

Bangkok nightlife - where to go and do

At night and in the evening, life in Bangkok does not stop at all; many nightclubs, discos, karaoke bars and restaurants open their doors for residents and guests of the city.

Patpong Red Light District

The famous red light district, Patpong Street, is located near Sala Daeng MRT Station. In fact, these are three streets, one of which is a night market, where street vendors sell fakes under well-known brands. But this area is better known as a collection of a huge number of bars, discos and nightclubs, where sex shows are held, and girls dance go-go incendiary.

If you are not interested in shopping and erotic shows, you can spend time in more quiet places Patpong. For example, in the Irish pub O'Reilly's Irish Pub or The Barbican, you can safely play billiards in Red Parrot, Vietnam war or The Old Other Office. Regardless of your preferences, Patpong is worth a visit, this place will not leave anyone indifferent.

Siam Square District

Siam Square is known for its nightclubs, bars and shopping malls. Excellent fresh beer is offered by the Hartmannsdorfer Brauhaus, only live music sounds in the Hard Rock Café. The Novotel is home to the modern Concept CM2 Club, where you can hear any kind of music from hip-hop to rock. Various themed parties are held at Party House One and is renowned for its stylish designer furnishings and delicious varied cuisine.

Khao san road

Khao San Road is another island of entertainment in Bangkok's nightlife. The light of neon signs, the air saturated with alcohol, the rumble of music await you in this place. The most popular clubs on Khao San Road are Lava Bar, The Club and Immortal. Those who prefer a more relaxed pastime can enjoy the sound of live music, for example, Brick Bar, Cinnamon Bar, Buddy Beer, Gullivers.

Sukumvit street

Sukumvit Street and the numerous side streets that radiate from it are full of restaurants, bars, as well as Bangkok's fashionable nightclubs Bed Supperclub and Q Bar. In one of the alleys of Sukumvita, there is Nana Plaza, a place where many go-go bars are gathered under one roof.

Soi Cowboy street

Parallel to Sukhumvit Road is another famous street, Soi Cowboy, where show bars are located. It is believed to be more relaxed than Patpong and Nana Plaza.

Bangkok aerial view

In addition, there are many more places to go in Bangkok in the evening. Would you like to see a huge and bustling metropolis from a bird's eye view? You have such an opportunity, because the capital of Thailand is known for its numerous skyscrapers, where observation decks, bars and restaurants are located.

For example, on the 84th floor of the Baiyok Sky hotel there is an observation deck, and on the floor below there is a bar. Of course, you can visit here during the day, but, according to eyewitnesses, the most wonderful time to visit is evening. It is better to go up to the site before sunset to see the city in the light, then enjoy the sunset, and later look at the lights of the big city.

You can also admire the views of the metropolis from the windows of numerous high-rise restaurants, for example, the Sirocco restaurant on the 63rd floor of Lebua, the Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar at the Banyan Tree hotel, Fifty Five on the 55th floor of the Centara Grand hotel and other establishments.

A visit to Bangkok will leave an indelible impression on every tourist. This city is an explosive mix of traditional Asian culture and global cosmopolitanism, the blatant poverty of the Chao Phraya River slum dwellers and the obscene luxury of business districts.

Many foreigners consider Bangkok to be the quintessence of the spirit of a real Asian metropolis: noisy, stupefyingly hot, fast-paced, relaxed and sometimes obscenely exotic. On the one hand, there is the magnificent architecture of the majestic Buddhist temples, on the other, the orgy of Khaosanroad, and on the third, a real gastronomic feast.

The Thai capital is worth seeing at least once to try to understand mysterious people inhabiting the once mighty Siam. It's not for nothing that this state has never been under colonial yoke.

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What to see and where to go in Bangkok?

The most interesting and Beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

The main attractions of the Thai capital, which previously served as the residence of the kings. The complex was built at the end of the 18th century under Rama I, when the capital was moved to Bangkok. The plan of the Royal Palace was modeled on the residence in the ancient capital of Siam - Ayutthaya. On a large territory of the palace complex, there are quaint temples, galleries decorated with heroes of the Thai epic, and administrative buildings.

Built entirely of pinkish teak wood (no nails were used), the structure is considered the largest wooden structure in the world. The palace was erected for King Rama I. Translated from Thai "Vimanmek" means "heavenly palace". The architecture is close to the English Victorian style. Initially, the palace was located on the island of Sichagn, but was moved to Bangkok.

Renaissance and neoclassical mansion built in 1915 by Italian architects. Previously, Ananta Samahom served as the royal throne room, now it houses a museum dedicated to Thai arts and crafts. The facade of the building looks elegant and at the same time simple, many marble elements were used in the decoration of the walls, this gives it a resemblance to European palaces.

The main Buddhist temple in Thailand, located in the heart of Bangkok next to the Royal Palace. The complex was built in the period 1782-1785. The main shrine of the temple and at the same time a popular tourist attraction is the jade statue of Buddha, which is associated with many legends. According to one version, the statue was created in heaven and lowered to earth with the help of the heavenly king.

Temple of the middle of the 19th century, erected during the reign of Chesadabodindra. A 79-meter pagoda of the temple rises above the Chao Phraya River, the walls are decorated with ceramic tiles and porcelain trim (fragments of dishes). There are steps leading to the top of the pagoda, symbolizing the difficulty of the righteous path of knowledge. The sun's rays are reflected from the porcelain surface of the walls and from afar it seems that Wat Arun sparkles with “divine light”.

A traditional Buddhist temple that houses the world's largest Buddha statue made of gold (according to the Thais themselves). The statue weighs five tons and reaches three meters in height. Researchers claim that the Golden Buddha is almost 700 years old. There are many interesting stories associated with the statue. During the Burmese attack on Thailand, she was hidden under a layer of plaster, and then lost. Only thanks to an accidentally broken piece of alabaster, the Golden Buddha returned to its place.

One of the oldest temples in Thailand. From XII to XVIII centuries. at this place there was a Buddhist monastery. Under King Rama I, it was significantly rebuilt and expanded, and by the will of His Majesty, a stupa 41 meters in height was erected. Today, there are 95 stupas on the territory of the temple. The reclining Buddha is the largest statue of this god in the world. In length, it reaches 95 meters in height - 15 meters.

The building of the temple was built of metal, therefore it is often called the "iron temple". The building was erected in the 20th century in honor of Princess Wadhanavadi (granddaughter of the then reigning king). Wat Ratchanadda is built in classic Ceylon architectural style... The temple pagoda contains 37 sharp spiers that represent virtues - steps on the path to the highest Buddhist enlightenment.

The temple was built at the beginning of the 19th century, it is located in the historical part of Bangkok on the island of Rattanakosin. The interior painting of the building reflects typical Buddhist ideas about the structure of the universe. There are 156 statues of Buddha installed along the walls of the temple; inside there is an 8-meter bronze statue of the god. There is a giant teak swing near the temple, on which people swing during the ceremony in honor of the harvest in the hope of getting a bag of coins. Due to the risk of injury, this ritual was canceled in 1932.

The temple building rises 70 meters above the city, so from here you can see the picturesque panorama of the Thai capital. Temple complex Wat Saket is located on a fairly large area, the buildings are surrounded by a green park. There are multi-colored statues scattered along the road for visitors. Especially for people tired of the tedious climb to the temple, benches and cozy platforms are located at different levels of the staircase.

As the name suggests, the temple is entirely built of marble, which is quite rare in Thailand. The expensive material was specially imported from Italy. The building was erected at the end of the 19th century during the reign of Rama V, and his ashes are also buried here. Around the building there is a park with a river and a pond, where you can enjoy the silence and tranquil landscapes of the surrounding area.

The museum is located near the Royal Palace complex in the central part of Bangkok. The building was erected at the end of the 18th century. On the territory of the museum there is a royal chapel and a religious statue of Buddha Sihing. After examining the collection, one can get acquainted with the history of Siam, the complex and exotic cultural traditions of the Thai nation, and comprehend the worldview foundations of the traditional peoples of Southeast Asia.

Museum created on the basis of the collection of the connoisseur of South-East Asian art D. Thompson. Here are collected exhibits from Burma, Cambodia, Laos, China and Thailand. Thompson collected his collection in the 50-60s. XX century. The building itself is an example of traditional Siam architecture. For some unknown reason, the collector disappeared during one of his travels, and his home was given over to a museum.

The museum collection consists of 8 traditional Thai boats, completely carved from a teak trunk. Each vessel is richly decorated with intricate carvings, lush decor, and expensive decorative elements. Boats are rarely used for special royal ceremonies. They can stay at anchor for months and wait in the wings. The largest barge "Suppanahong" is 46 meters long.

The museum building is a figure of a huge elephant with three heads. Erawan was founded in 1967 with the aim of preserving cultural heritage Thais. The main goals pursued by the founder L. Veriapan are: to acquaint the general public with the values ​​of local culture, to include the museum collection in the World Heritage of Humanity Fund, to engage in educational work among the younger generation.

Museum of Contemporary Art, opened in 2008. The main goal of the cultural center is to develop current trends in art, support progressive masters, ensure a constructive dialogue between traditional and modern culture... The works of both Thai and foreign masters are used to organize permanent exhibitions. The museum was founded with the participation of the Bangkok city government.

Perhaps the most famous and crowded street in the capital of Thailand. Here, 24 hours a day, a motley crowd of tourists from all over the world is noisy, who try street food, choose souvenirs or visit massage parlors. Khaosan Road is popular with backpacker tourists, as you can rent very inexpensive housing here. The street rose to prominence in 1982 after celebrating Bangkok's 200th anniversary.

One of the most "hot" areas of Bangkok with numerous restaurants, Chinese shops, shops, alternative medicine rooms and other establishments. Tourists come here in search of adventure and exoticism. A real extravaganza begins here on the days of traditional Chinese holidays - the entire quarter is decorated with garlands, and festive processions take place along the streets.

The main market in Bangkok with a huge assortment of a variety of exotic products at affordable prices. On some days, the number of buyers, sellers and ordinary onlookers in the market reaches 200 thousand people. Here you can buy rare ivory and silk products, any gadgets, clothes, jewelry, groceries, souvenirs and almost any household goods.

Skyscraper 302 meters high with observation deck and a restaurant. From a height of 84 floors, a panoramic view of the entire city opens; in clear weather, you can even see the distant Gulf of Thailand. The building was completed in 1997. The first 12 floors are occupied by parking, the hotel is located above. The easiest and most inexpensive way to get upstairs is to pay for a visit to the observation deck.

Skyscraper in the business district of Bangkok, built in 2001 by the architect Rangsan Torsuwan. It reaches a height of 247 meters and consists of 68 floors. The building is adorned with architectural delights in the form of neoclassical balconies and a gilded dome. Inside there are apartments, a hotel, offices and commercial premises. There is an open air restaurant on the 64th floor.

An imposing eight-story mall, a shopping paradise. total area retail space is 550 thousand m². On the territory of the shopping center there are more than 300 stores with a wide variety of goods. The last floors are located Entertainment Center with Asian restaurants, fast food stalls, 4D - cinema and ice palace.

Siam Paragon is considered the largest shopping and entertainment center in Southeast Asia. In addition to the myriad of shops, there is a huge gastronomic market, a cinema with 15 rooms, its own aquarium, art Gallery, concert hall, karaoke club and bowling club. The parking lot of the shopping center is designed for the simultaneous placement of 4 thousand cars.

A green massif, spread over an area of ​​56 hectares, right in the middle of a bustling metropolis. It is perfect for sports activities, quiet walks, family vacation, picnics. Residents and guests of Bangkok enjoy spending their free time in the park and taking a break from the exhausting heat and bustle of the capital. There are two ponds in the park, so if you want you can rent a boat and take a boat trip.

The city zoo occupies a small area of ​​18 hectares, it is located almost in the center of Bangkok. The local reservoir is home to turtles, large monitor lizards and schools of fish. Dusit is the oldest zoo in Thailand. Some animals are housed in open enclosures, but most of the inhabitants are kept in cages. Sometimes it can be difficult to see an animal through thick bars.

The largest oceanarium in Southeast Asia, located in the Siam Paragon shopping center. The aquarium is divided into seven zones, in which are placed different kinds marine life: fish, moray eels, molluscs, corals and other representatives of the marine fauna. The main aquarium Siam Ocean World is 6 meters high and has a tropical coral reef ecosystem inside.

Park and open-air museum, located 32 km. from Bangkok. On its territory there are more than 100 buildings belonging to different historical eras. A small part of the houses were brought from remote regions of Thailand, the rest of the buildings are replicas of historical buildings. There is also a group of structures created by Thai architects and sculptors.

A fun park for the whole family with a variety of animal shows. Here you can watch the performance of sea lions, dolphins, shows of trained monkeys and parrots. There are several performances throughout the day. You can also feed giraffes in the park for a small fee. One of the popular attractions is a boat ride through an impromptu wild jungle.

Thai "Disneyland", where the characters from fairy tales and cartoons loved by children live. You need to come here with the whole family for the whole day in order to have time to see as much as possible. The park is divided into four thematic zones. The first contains miniatures of world sights, the second recreates a fairy-tale garden, the third and fourth contain numerous attractions.

The main waterway of Bangkok, along which you can get to all the main attractions of the capital. The length of the main channel of the river is 372 km. It flows through several Thai cities, including the ancient capital Ayutthaya. Chao Phraya is constantly operated by city ferries and pleasure boats for tourists. In the evening rush hour, for many Thais, the waterway remains the only accessible way to somehow get home.